Secondary Battery Partition Walls for Electrolyte Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery designs face performance degradation due to significant differences in electrolyte concentration and movement among accommodating spaces, leading to inefficient electrolyte distribution and electron flow, which increases manufacturing costs and reduces battery efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates partition walls made of membrane-type porous layers, such as polyurethane or oriented polystyrene, that impregnate electrolyte and connect electrode assemblies in series and parallel configurations, minimizing electron movement and electrolyte sharing while maintaining consistent electrolyte concentration through osmotic pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple unit cells are connected in series and parallel to form a battery pack, then the battery capacity and voltage requirements are met, but the electrolyte concentration becomes uneven among cells and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple accommodating spaces separated by partition walls, with each space containing one or more electrode assemblies. This segmentation allows independent electrolyte management for each group of cells while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls act as intermediaries between accommodating spaces, selectively allowing electrolyte components (solvent and salt) to pass through via osmotic pressure while blocking electron movement. This mediates electrolyte distribution to maintain concentration consistency across different cell groups.
2Reliability
If partition walls are added to separate accommodating spaces, then electrolyte distribution is improved and performance consistency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Partition walls are constructed as porous membranes that allow selective passage of electrolyte components. The porous structure enables solvent and salt to diffuse through via osmotic pressure while maintaining physical separation between accommodating spaces and blocking electron conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls serve multiple functions simultaneously: they separate accommodating spaces, block electron movement between cells, and facilitate electrolyte distribution through osmotic pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrolyte is freely distributed among all accommodating spaces, then manufacturing is simplified, but electron movement between cells increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Each accommodating space has localized electrolyte impregnation through partition walls, creating different electrolyte environments in different spaces. The partition walls provide local electron blocking while allowing electrolyte components to pass, creating spatially differentiated conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are implemented as thin membrane structures that provide effective electron isolation while allowing electrolyte components to pass through. These thin film barriers maintain electrolyte connectivity while preventing harmful electron conduction between cells.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances battery performance by maintaining consistent electrolyte concentration, reducing performance degradation, and minimizing manufacturing costs by simplifying the battery pack structure and component count.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining consistent electrolyte concentration through osmotic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery, including a case having one or more partition walls providing a plurality of accommodating spaces; a plurality of electrode assemblies in the accommodating spaces with an electrolyte, the plurality of electrode assemblies including electrode tabs; and a cap assembly including a cap plate sealing a top portion of the case, the cap assembly having the electrode tabs drawn therefrom and first connection tabs electrically connecting the plurality of electrode assemblies through the electrode tabs, the partition walls being impregnated with the electrolyte.